Method for producing branched alcohols and/or hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT

Processes for producing branched compounds are described wherein a carbonyl compound is condensed in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of acids and bases, to form an α,β-unsaturated condensation product; and the α,β-unsaturated condensation product is hydrogenated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to cosmetic oil components and, more particularly, to an improved process for the production of, for example, Guerbet alcohols and dialkyl cyclohexanes which does not require heavy metal catalysts for the condensation reaction and which combines improved selectivity with a higher reaction rate.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Guerbet alcohols are primary alcohols branched in the 2-position which are obtained by condensation of linear fatty alcohols. The products are mainly used as oil components for the production of cosmetic emulsions. They are generally produced from fatty alcohols which, initially, self-condense under the effect of strong bases and heavy metal compounds, for example copper or zinc oxide. It is assumed that, under the reaction conditions, the alcohol is first dehydrogenated to the aldehyde which enters into an aldol condensation with itself, after which the condensation product is hydrogenated to the alcohol. A corresponding overview can be found, for example, in Angew. Chem. 64, 212 (1952). Dialkyl cyclohexanes are similarly produced by double condensation of fatty alcohols with cyclohexanol in the presence of heavy metals.

[0003] However, a disadvantage is that, after the reaction, the heavy metal catalysts have to be removed in order to meet legal requirements and to ensure that they do not cause any irritation in the subsequent application. The heavy metal catalysts are generally removed by washing and subsequent distillation which involves considerable product losses. Another disadvantage is that the reaction times are very long and the selectivities are unsatisfactory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a process for the production of branched alcohols and/or hydrocarbons, in which carbonyl compounds are condensed in the presence of acids or bases and the resulting α,β-unsaturated condensation products are subsequently hydrogenated.

[0005] It has surprisingly been found that branched alcohols or branched hydrocarbons can be obtained by the process according to the invention without the use of heavy metal catalysts in the condensation reaction, both improved selectivities and higher reaction rates being obtained.

[0006] Carbonyl compounds

[0007] Suitable carbonyl compounds are, above all, aldehydes, ketones and mixtures thereof. Suitable aldehydes are, for example, fatty aldehydes which preferably correspond to formula (I):

R¹CHO   (I)

[0008] in which R¹ is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 6 to 12 and more particularly 8 to 10 carbon atoms. Typical examples are hexanol, octanol, 2-ethylhexanal, decanol, dodecanol and mixtures thereof. Also suitable are fatty ketones, preferably those corresponding to formula (II):

R²COR³   (II)

[0009] in which R² and R³ independently of one another represent linear or branched C₆₋₁₂ alkyl groups. Typical examples are dihexyl ketone, dioctyl ketone, di-2-ethylhexyl ketone, didecyl ketone or didoceyl ketone. Cyclic ketones, preferably cyclohexanone, may also be used.

[0010] Condensation

[0011] The condensation reaction may be carried out in known manner, i.e. the carbonyl compounds are initially introduced into the reactor together with the acids or bases and then heated to temperatures of 20 to 250° C. and preferably to temperatures of 200 to 240° C. The reaction may be carried out in the absence of pressure or under pressures of up to 30 bar and preferably up to 5 bar. Suitable catalysts are, in particular, alkali metal bases such as, for example, alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal carbonates. The catalysts may be used in quantities of 1 to 10 mol-% and are preferably used in quantities of 3 to 5 mol-%, based on the carbonyl compounds. In order to displace the reaction equilibrium onto the product side, it is always advisable continuously to distil off the water of condensation.

[0012] Hydrogenation

[0013] The hydrogenation of the unsaturated aldehydes or ketones formed as the intermediate product may be carried out using typical hydrogenation catalysts, preferably based on nickel, copper and/or zinc. The hydrogenation is normally carried out at temperatures of 20 to 350° C. and preferably at temperatures of 50 to 250° C. and under pressures of 1 to 300 bar and preferably under pressures of 20 to 250 bar. The reaction products may then be purified by distillation.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0014] In a stirred reactor consisting of a flask, heating mushroom, water separator, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet, 1 g (0.015 mol) of potassium hydroxide was added to 500 g (3.2 mol) of decanal (99% by weight) at 20° C., followed by heating to 210° C. The water formed during the reaction was continuously distilled off. After 3 hours, the reaction was terminated, the reaction mixture was cooled to 20° C. and the potassium hydroxide precipitated was filtered off. The resulting clear liquid contained 90% by weight of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, 4% by weight trimers, 2% by weight esters and 4% by weight unreacted starting aldehyde. The reaction mixture was transferred to an autoclave and hydrogenated for 3 hours at 230° C./250 bar in the presence of a nickel catalyst until there was no further uptake of hydrogen. 90% by weight of the hydrogenation product consisted of 2-octyl dodecanol, 6% by weight of decanol and 4% by weight of trimers. After distillation, the 2-octyl dodecanol was obtained in a purity of 95.7% by weight.

Example 2

[0015] As in Example 1, 500 g (3.9 mol) of octanal were condensed in the presence of 1.2 g (0.02 mol) of potassium hydroxide. The resulting product contained 88% by weight of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, 6% by weight of trimers, 2% by weight of waters and 4% by weight of unreacted octanal. After hydrogenation, a mixture of 88% by weight of 2-hexyl decanol, 6% by weight of octanol and 6% by weight of trimers was obtained. After distillation, the 2-hexyl decanol was obtained in a purity of 93.6% by weight.

Example 3

[0016] As in Example 1, 650 g (5.0 mol) of 2-ethyl hexanal and 245 g (2.5 mol) of cyclohexanone were condensed in the presence of 40 g of 45% by weight aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. After 2 hours, the reaction temperature of 240° C. was reached, the end point being indicated by the end of the separation of water. The product was washed with hot water until neutral and dried with sodium sulfate. According to GC analysis, a mixture of 85.4% by weight of disubstituted product, 8.2% by weight of monosubstituted product, 1.3% by weight of 2-ethyl hexanal, 0.3% by weight of cyclohexanone and 4.8% by weight of polymers was present. 500 g of the mixture were hydrogenated for 14 hours at 245° C./20 bar in the presence of 14 g of a nickel catalyst until there was no further uptake of hydrogen. Wet-chemical analysis of the product revealed an acid value of <0.1, an iodine value of 0.4 and a hydroxyl value of 1. GC analysis showed the composition to be 85.4% by weight 2,6-di-(2-ethylhexyl)-cyclohexane, 8.2% by weight 2-(2-ethylhexyl)-cyclohexane, 1.3% by weight 2-ethyl hexane, 0.3% by weight cyclohexane and 4.8% by weight oligomers. The unreacted starting materials were removed by distillation. 

1. A process for the production of branched alcohols and/or hydrocarbons, in which carbonyl compounds are condensed in the presence of acids or bases and the resulting α,β-unsaturated condensation products are subsequently hydrogenated.
 2. A process as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that fatty aldehydes corresponding to formula (I): R¹CHO   (I) in which R¹ is a linear or branched C₆₋₁₂ alkyl group, are used as the carbonyl compounds.
 3. A process as claimed in claims 1 and/or 2, characterized in that ketones corresponding to formula (II): R²COR³   (II) in which R² and R³ independently of one another represent linear or branched C₆₋₁₂ alkyl groups, are used as the carbonyl compounds.
 4. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that cyclic ketones are used as the carbonyl compounds.
 5. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the condensation is carried out at temperatures of 200 to 250° C.
 6. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of nickel, copper and/or zinc catalysts.
 7. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hydrogenation is carried out at temperatures of 20 to 350° C.
 8. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hydrogenation is carried out under pressures of 1 to 300 bar.
 9. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hydrogenation products are purified by distillation.
 10. A process as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the condensation is carried out in the absence of heavy metals. 